Leicester MP Keith Vaz has said he was "surprised" by Prince Charles' concern over the reform of the Royal Succession laws.

Mr Vaz put forward a Private Member's Bill in 2011, calling for the eldest child of a ruling monarch to succeed them to the throne, regardless of gender.

While his bill was dropped, new legislation which will end male primogeniture – the rule that discriminates against royal women – and allow heirs to the throne to marry Catholics was published last month, and will be considered soon.

But, according to the Daily Mail, Prince Charles has voiced concerns about what will happen if his grandchild marries a Roman Catholic.

Assuming any children born to a future royal and their Catholic partner would be Catholic, this could ultimately lead to the constitutional crisis of a future king or queen being barred from the throne because they are a Catholic – something which is still outlawed.

Mr Vaz said: "I was surprised. If there are any concerns, Nick Clegg should meet with Prince Charles to clarify the changes.

Surely the Monarchy has not run this country for centuries, since Parliament thought it could do better.
They are the Heads of State and we should be proud of them.
What is wrong with Prince Charles voicing his opinion, that is democracy, isn't it?
On another note, Prince Charles should abdicate, when the time comes, like his grand uncle did and therefore let his son take the throne.